Have you ever heard or said those words? Surely you’ve read that sentiment in a Dove chocolate wrapper at least, and if you haven’t, you should consider eating more chocolate! Even if you’ve never had anyone directly say those words to you or you’ve never said them out loud to others, have you ever given yourself quiet, internal permission to let your emotions or desires lead you without a second thought? I certainly have. Just this week I found myself eating chocolate because I was following my heart! Maybe my heart just goes toward chocolate because I’m a woman and we just passed Valentine’s Day, but I know we all find out hearts tugging us towards decisions both big and small.

While Dove encourage us to follow our hearts, what does God say?

I want to explore that question in a future blog post, but before I do, I need to back up and consider what God says about our hearts and how He views our hearts differently than how our culture does.

Think with me about how we talk about the heart. We “heart” NYC, puppies, our BFFs (best friends forever), our favorite Starbucks drink, a moving song or a beautiful Instagram post. We use the phrase “my heart’s just not in it” to mean we lack desire, passion and enthusiasm. If our heart is not into it (whether that be a job, a relationship, an obligation or any other sort of commitment), we justify slacking off or quitting on that thing altogether. When we really love someone, we love him or her “with all our heart.” When we experience loss and pain, we may describe it as saying we have a broken heart. Someone who seems cruel or lacking compassion we describe as heartless or hardhearted. We think of the heart as the center of our emotions, especially the positive, maybe even gushy, emotions of happiness, love (romantic and otherwise), and passion. We embrace the view that we feel with our hearts, and if someone doesn’t express the emotions we think are appropriate, we wonder if they just have a cold heart.

While the heart seems central to feelings and emotions, we view it in contrast to the mind. We tend to accept that we think with our brain, but feel with our heart. Therefore, if we’re having problems with our emotions, it’s due to our heart. Or that’s how we see it.

God does not divide the heart and the mind like we do.

In His Word, when talking about the heart, He is talking about our control center, including thoughts as well as desires and emotions. In Deuteronomy 6:6, God tells the Israelites that His commands are to be upon their hearts. He is not simply commanding them to impress His commands on their emotions, but also on their minds. In Proverbs 4:23, God says that from our heart “flow the springs of life.” The heart represents how we think, process, evaluate and make decisions and thus affects all that flow out of us. In the New Testament, we read “And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” (Matt 9:4) Jesus states that they are thinking in their heart. The biblical understanding of the heart is deeper and more robust than our idea of it as simply formulating our emotions.

When we read about the heart in Scripture, we have to understand that God is not simply talking about the source of our emotions. He is addressing or commenting on our overall control center that includes our emotions as well as our thoughts and desires.

As you read Scripture, keep an eye out for when God mentions man’s heart. How does God talk about the human heart? What does He instruct us to do with our hearts? How is His understanding of our heart (as our Creator, keep in mind!) different from how we typically think about our heart? Think through these questions and look for future blog posts that will address some of these questions and ponder if God agrees with Dove on “following your heart.”

I was reminded of that truth this past week as I struggled holding a conversation in Spanish. I studied Spanish for 7 years in high school and college, even spending 6 months living and studying in Spain. I achieved a measure of hard-won fluency, and then I graduated school. I mentally filed my Spanish away, having no reason to regularly use it, only bringing it out for short periods of time on rare occasions. Over the last 8 years, I have forgotten vocab, verb tenses and grammar. My brain has slowed down in comprehending the spoken language I used to hear on a daily basis. I have not been using Spanish and I am losing it.

Similarly, athletes know that if they give up an exercise regimen and are not exerting their muscles and cardiovascular system, they can quickly lose the strength and endurance they worked to achieve. I used to be able to run a 5k (though not very well), but then I took a break from running. I certainly couldn’t run that distance today. Use it or lose it.

How does this play out spiritually? Are we at risk for losing something in which we have previously invested time and effort?

We should rejoice that our salvation depends not on us, but on our Savior, and so we are not at risk for losing our salvation (John 10:28-29, Ephesians 1:13-14). Jesus and the Father hold us securely and they will not lose us. The Holy Spirit seals us and is a guarantee of our inheritance. Even in the times we lose sight of the glorious truths of our salvation, God’s gift of salvation remains secure.

However, when it comes to our progressive sanctification, our growth in Christlikeness, we are vulnerable. So often in Scripture we are told to stand firm (1 Corinthians 15:58, Philippians 4:1, James 5:8). We are to make conscious effort to not give up the spiritual ground that we have gained through our efforts and God’s gracious work (Philippians 2:12-13). As we grow in knowledge and understanding of the Lord, we must watch our lives carefully so that we are indeed growing in faithful obedience and loving worship. We need to put truth into practice and strive for continued application (use it) so that we don’t forget it or grow content in not obeying it (lose it). As we memorize Scripture, we need to regularly review it and meditate on it (use it), or we’ll forget it (lose it). As we build spiritual habits and disciplines, often at the expense of great effort, we must stand firm in practicing these so that we continue benefiting from them and growing in our walk with the Lord.

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 1 Timothy 4:7-10

As you discipline yourself for godliness, make sure you continue to use your spiritual muscles. Our spiritual discipline is to be ongoing. Continue laboring and striving for godliness, continue fixing your hope in the Savior of all men. Don’t give in to spiritual laziness or forgetfulness. Don’t take a break from spiritual growth or allow yourself a “break” from seeking the Lord. Don’t take past victories for granted, but walk in faithful devotion today.

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/12/12/use-it-or-lose-it-thoughts-on-spanish-fitness-and-spiritual-discipline/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/12/12/use-it-or-lose-it-thoughts-on-spanish-fitness-and-spiritual-discipline/“You Kept My Eyes from Closing” – Reflections on Psalm 77http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/DD9AQDMtBX4/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/29/you-kept-my-eyes-from-closing-reflections-on-psalm-77/#respondFri, 29 Sep 2017 14:38:05 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3711read more]]>Heather Starkweather counsels at VOH in addition to serving as our clinical director and social worker. She has written some reflections on different Scripture passages, so today I’m sharing her reflections on the Psalm 77. I would encourage you to read this entire Psalm, though I’ve only included a few verses from it below.

My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice rises to God, and He will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. 3 When I remember God, then I am disturbed; When I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Selah. 4 You have held my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? 8 Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?

Psalm 77:1-4, 7-9

I have been working with girls who have extremely horrifying nightmares of past abuse. Some ladies will try to force themselves to wake up all night long to escape the nightmares. Others will wake in a state of trauma reliving the event as if it is actually happening right then. Some will try to force themselves to stay awake so they don’t have to relive the terror. I have been reading the Psalms this week and one that really caught my attention was Psalm 77. It refers to crying out to God for help when in distress “at night”. It also says “you kept my eyes from closing”(NIV). In verses 7-9 the Psalmist seems to wonder if God has broken His promise to show favor, love and to be merciful. I imagine this to be thinking very similar to the ladies I am working with.

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?

Psalm 77:11-13

Then we see a shift in verses 10-20 he starts to remember “the deeds of the Lord”. He begins to “meditate on … His mighty deeds”. He continually reminds himself over and over of truth about Who God really is. This Psalm is full of hope for those who suffer from nightmares. It is hopeful because they are not alone in their trauma. Others have experienced the evil of the wicked. Many other Psalms are full of examples, including Psalms 35, 56, 57, and 58. It is also hopeful because they can cry out to God the way the Psalmist does. What a blessing that God’s Word has help for those who suffer the terror of the night.

As you and I sleep safely tonight would you join me in prayer for these ladies? Would you pray that if it is God’s will, He would prevent the nightmares? If that is not His will, would you pray that He gives them grace that is sufficient for their need? Would you pray that they would cry out to God, draw near to Him, and find refuge under the shadow of His wings (Ps 36:7)?

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/29/you-kept-my-eyes-from-closing-reflections-on-psalm-77/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/29/you-kept-my-eyes-from-closing-reflections-on-psalm-77/Lavished Gracehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/Yu6RmwknQw4/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/22/lavished-grace/#respondFri, 22 Sep 2017 13:57:13 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3706read more]]>Heather Starkweather serves at VOH as our clinical director, social worker and as one of our counselors. She has written some reflections on different Scripture passages, so today I’m sharing her reflections on the first chapter of Ephesians. I would encourage you to study this entire chapter, though I’ve only included excerpts from it below, and consider how to live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-13

Chapter 1 of Ephesians provides believers with a marvelous truth about a great mystery. Paul begins his letter with the unbelievable fact that God chooses us to be adopted as His children! Why would God do that? Scripture is clear He did it so mankind can praise His glorious grace. The intriguing mystery of God is that he is able to show how amazing He is by choosing those who are so completely wretched, to transform us through Christ. That is undeniably the praise of His glorious grace. That rich grace is lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Grace LAVISHED on us. Not begrudgingly transferred to us. No, rich grace lavished on the undeserving by God.

Verse 11 begins explaining the assurance of that grace. It is so completely comforting to be assured that this grace so richly lavished on us has staying power. We don’t have directions spelled out in order to maintain grace. No, we are assured that the plan of this glorious grace was permanent, “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance”. Why? Again we see the phrase, “to the praise of His glory”. Everything God does is for His glory. The lavish grace that He pours on us, through Christ and the assurance of that grace brings God glory.

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/22/lavished-grace/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/22/lavished-grace/Crucified with Christ: Meet Kayla!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/Kz2zezTf-8Y/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/12/crucified-with-christ-meet-kayla/#respondTue, 12 Sep 2017 13:15:57 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3701read more]]>I have been blessed and encouraged to hear from our different interns about how the Lord is working in their lives and has drawn them to Himself. This blog concludes our series introducing our current group of interns. Kayla is the final intern to introduce. Kayla began her internship in July and has jumped into observing counseling and encouraging residents with her joyful spirit.

Hi All! My name is Kayla. I am from Columbus, Ohio. I already know your next questions… I am kind of short-of (not really) a Buckeye fan. Honestly, I don’t care about sports and just say that I am so I don’t get in trouble with the masses of people I know who are. However, when it comes to my relationship with Jesus, I am not a fan, but by God’s grace, a completely committed follower. My greatest passion is Jesus Christ, with Philippians 3:8 being one of my life verses. I desire to know Christ and to be like Him. I LOVE to invest in others and help them to do the same. Place me in a coffee shop with a young girl who wants to grow in her relationship with Christ, and I am in my happy place! If you want to get to know me, you probably need to get to know my family a little, too. I am the oldest of six kids (I promise you, there is never a dull moment). My youngest sibling is 5. With 14 years between us, I am 19. We are a family who loves to run. Both my parents ran track in cross-country in high school and college. I guess you could say running is in my blood.

I love to tell people about how God got a hold of my heart! He is such a gracious and merciful Father and I am so thankful for His redeeming work in my life! Growing us as a pastor’s Kid, I thought I was a pretty good person. I assumed because I knew all the Sunday School answers and my life revolved around church, I was a Christian. But surprise, surprise, I wasn’t. At nine years old, God took my family through a hard season as my dad was hurtfully excused from his pastoral position. One week, life was fine and then next week we moved, never to return to that church, my friends and everything I knew and loved. My perfect, peaceful world was ripped from me. So I blamed God. He’s in control of everything, right? If He truly loved me, He wouldn’t have allowed this to happen! Three years of bitterness, unforgiveness, and anger were what God used to reveal my heart (Titus 3:3-5). I tried to be “good” on my own. I couldn’t. I tried to forgive the people who had hurt me. I couldn’t. At age 12, God finally used my brokenness to bring me to the cross. I now saw my need for Jesus. I realized my need for the gospel and that there was nothing I could do to be good enough or earn my salvation. Two years later, at age 14, God intersected my life with another transformative truth. Not only was Jesus my Savior, but if Jesus was my Savior, He also had to be my Lord. To follow Jesus, I needed to daily surrender to Him, submit to His authority, conform my life to His Word and allow Him to use me however He wished. And so I can confidently say, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).

How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?

Two years ago, I attended the Biblical Counseling Training Conference. This is where I heard about Vision of Hope. I thought it sounded like a neat opportunity: working with girls, exposure to biblical counseling, getting involved in the Faith community, growing in relationships with other interns. However, I had other plans for my future, until God changed them and brought me here! And I am so glad He did!

What are you excited to learn and grow in at VOH?

Primarily, I want to grow in my relationship with Jesus. Moving away from home, my church family, and friends has been a challenge. Everything here is new: new relationships, new church family, new ministry, new living space. And new isn’t easy for people like me who HATE change and unpredictability. So, this is a perfect opportunity for me to cling to Jesus! Also, there is a daily awareness that I can’t be the intern God wants me to be without His help. These girls don’t need me. What I say or do will never produce change in their lives unless the Lord is at work! To be effective, I have no choice but to be dependent on Him. The Lord has already been drawing me closer to Himself and I am excited to see how this will continue in the months to come. Also, I want to gain wisdom through experience. Part way through my ACBC certification, I have knowledge about Biblical Counseling. However, as I sit in on counseling sessions and learn from staff and other interns, I want to grow in my understanding of how to apply that knowledge.

If you would like to learn and minister at Vision of Hope, please contact us for more information on the different ways you could be a part serving the Lord at our ministry. We have both needs and opportunities for volunteers and interns to serve with us as we share the hope of the gospel with hurting women.

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/12/crucified-with-christ-meet-kayla/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/12/crucified-with-christ-meet-kayla/Relying on His Love: Meet Nancy!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/j98DxVk3NJw/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/05/relying-on-his-love-meet-nancy/#respondTue, 05 Sep 2017 14:43:56 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3717read more]]>God brings women from diverse backgrounds to serve as interns at VOH. Not only has He brought women from different walks of life, but also from different countries to work, learn and minister here for a year. Through His grace and Spirit, He unites these unique individuals into a great team. We are very blessed by our current intern team and are so thankful for their hunger for God’s Word and their desire to serve the residents here. Today, hear how God saved Nancy and brought her to intern at VOH.

My name is Nancy Zhong (my real Chinese name is Zengmeizhi Zhong), I was born and grew up in Chengdu, China, a fun and popular metropolis famous for its spicy food and panda bears. Before moving to VOH, I graduated from Cedarville University (OH) last year and had been serving in a full-time ministry as a mentor in a Christian therapeutic boarding school in Missouri. It was a very difficult ministry but God stretched me to grow and see more of Christ’s glory in His suffering for me. I love cooking with instrumental Jazz music on, going to live Jazz, volleyball, badminton, Ping-Pong, going crazy with Dutch Blitz, hiking, watching and discussing great shows or movies, cats or other fun animal videos, leading or having Bible study, and my biggest passion has always been introducing the authentic Chinese food to my American friends and other internationals. Discipleship and cross-cultural evangelism are the fire in my heart.

I did not grow up in a Christian family nor going to church in China. I came to the U.S.A. in 2010 for the first time to attend Purdue. My freshman year was full of cultural shocks and loneliness and confusion about my life and life purpose. In the summer after my freshman year, I went back home and was invited to a house Bible study by my mom’s friend. God opened my eyes to see His definition of the problem of this chaotic world and my life—sin– also with his cure for it–Jesus the Son of God. I had no problem admitting myself as a sinner at all, and I totally believed that the Bible was the source of truth. However, I struggled with assurance of my salvation. I was afraid that I was like the generation of the wilderness, who saw and knew the promised land but never entered it, or like the ones calling on the Lord but the Lord said that he never knew them. When I came back to the States to continue my college, I eagerly looked for a church to attend, and God graciously connected me with Faith church and the PBFi fellowship for international students like me. I grew quickly in knowledge of His word and a new lifestyle with other fellow believers. Most importantly, I was connected to a lady who became my mentor and shared the true gospel with me, that I could receive the free gift of God’s forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection for me. That really freed me from fear of losing my salvation and marked my growth in a personal relationship with my Lord Jesus.

Later on, I went through a very difficult period resulting from my foolish and sinful decisions. God started to reveal Himself as a merciful and faithful Father to me by providing for all my needs at the time, and poured out His grace through so many people. Through those tearful and prayerful days, my relationship with my mom was reconciled in Christ too, and I realized how much I did not deserve everything He allowed to happen but full of thankfulness to Him. My passion also tremendously grew for learning the Bible in-depth in order to increase my faith in God and lead other people to this merciful and holy God (especially Chinese people). I told God that I would love to do full-time ministry if he allowed, and chose to change to Bible major/Business minor to build foundation for the future local ministry or mission for His kingdom. He led me and blessed me to finish my college degree in Cedarville University, where I grew in His knowledge and grace and fellowship who passionately pursue Him and His people. Jesus Christ has totally changed my life after 19 years of believing and living in lies. He has given me a life purpose, revealed who I was created to be and for, gave me a living hope, secured my heart in Him, reconciled me to my Heavenly Father, completely changed and refreshed my relationship with my mom, motivated me to love and serve other people for His kingdom. Knowing and relying on His great love, I have learnt to love others freely and well. I am definitely not loving others or God perfectly 24/7, but I know that there is no condemnation in Christ anymore and that my God would finish His good work in me, and will bring people back to Him, until my Lord comes back to marry His church in His new Heavens and new earth. I look forward to seeing my Lord Jesus face to face, hearing him say “my good and faithful servant,’’ and exploring His perfect kingdom with my King together.

How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?

I knew VOH through friends and mentors at Faith and PBFi. I have some old interns as friends who loved and served VOH, and their stories just really gave me a closer picture of how God is working in this special ministry, as well as how believers are serving Him with His wonderful wisdom. In my years of being a ‘’baby Christian,” my mentor Stephanie discipled me, teaching me how to study the Bible and also offering me a lot of counseling that was directly from God’s Word. God’s Word has always been so active and living and transforming ever since. I knew that His Word was the only source to bring life transformation. I received 11-week Biblical training in one summer, and I grew in my personal life struggles and was able to encourage my Christian friends with Biblical counseling. God showed me that His word was so relatable, effective, and sufficient. Therefore, when I heard about VOH and the biblical counseling offered here, I loved it and knew God was doing great things here. I wanted to join the ministry to serve these ladies with the wisdom that God had poured into me.

What are you excited to learn and grow in at VOH?

I am excited to grow in applying God’s word in my personal holiness and in serving the ladies to walk with the Lord. I look forward to serving people in my good days and bad days with His unfailing love that I do not deserve. I pray that the Lord to reveal my idols in my heart and to serve and submit to his kingship on daily base.

If we had a fun themed day at VOH, what would you want the theme to be and why?

World culture day! International food! To know more about God’s creation and grow knowledge of how to share the gospel to people from another place.

Throughout the rest of her year at VOH, Nancy will have an abundance of opportunities to continue to rest in God’s love as she pours out love and service to others.

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/05/relying-on-his-love-meet-nancy/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/05/relying-on-his-love-meet-nancy/A Passion to Serve: Meet Rosemary!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/g-nzmpUPkvI/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/01/a-passion-to-serve-meet-rosemary/#respondFri, 01 Sep 2017 13:20:50 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3696read more]]>Over the years, we have had international interns from many countries, including Canada, Romania, Germany, Uganda and Mexico. We are thankful for these opportunities to train women from around the world in knowing and ministering God’s Word to others through biblical counseling.In July, the Lord sent us two international interns.Hear from Rosemary today and learn how the Lord brought her from the other side of the world to serve and grow at VOH.

My name is Rosemary Okpo. I am from Arochukwu in Abia State, Nigeria. I am a teacher by profession. Before VOH, I was teaching. I’ve taught in two different schools, one of which was Presbyterian Nursery & Primary School. I was also a children’s teacher in my local church. My love for teaching children led me into establishing a pre-school known as “Our Lord Cares School.” The school’s intention was to inculcate godliness and contentment in children before their primary school age. I have also led a group of women known as (WM) and girls popularly call “Missionette” in my local church.

I have been a religious person for a long period of time. Having been born into a Christian family, I sang in choir, worked in the Sunday school, and attended different church programs. I was also baptized but I did not know Jesus. I encountered the Lord personally when my group of women were practicing for evangelism outreach. That was the time I deliberately invited Christ into my life. Thereafter, I felt peace like a river and my life dramatically changed for better.

How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?

Actually I was introduced to VOH by my husband who happened to learn about VOH through online. After a careful consideration of my passion in helping vulnerable women and young girls, he decided to sponsor me to come to VOH.

Why were you interested in coming to VOH to serve for a year?

What interested me into coming to serve was the fact that VOH offers opportunities and hope through biblical counseling to women with such challenges as unplanned pregnancies, drug and alcoholism, suicide thoughts, self-harm, eating disorders, and depression.

Having been spurred by the testimonies of the past graduated residents, I’m excited to learn and also to witness the transforming power of biblical counseling over the life of the present residents.

If we had a fun themed day at VOH, what would you want the theme to be and why?

If we had a fun themed day at VOH, I would like the theme to be “Tales by Moon Light” because we would sit in a circle and tell interesting stories.

We are blessed to have Rosemary learning and serving here and are excited for future ministry opportunities she will have in her home church and community in Nigeria!

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/01/a-passion-to-serve-meet-rosemary/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/09/01/a-passion-to-serve-meet-rosemary/Life-Long Disciple: Meet Ashley!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/RUF7Y9YwgJo/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/29/life-long-disciple-meet-ashley/#respondTue, 29 Aug 2017 13:40:13 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3688read more]]>As we continue in our blog series introducing our wonderful group of interns, I ask that you take time to pray for our interns and their time here.Would you please pray that the Lord strengthens them with His power as they sacrificially serve staff and residents? Would you please ask that God give our interns teachable, humble hearts to learn all the Lord has for them here and to be ever sensitive to ways He would have them change? Pray that their love will be sincere as they minister to the women of Vision of Hope.We deeply desire you to lift up our ministry, including our interns, in prayer.Now, let Ashley share with you how the Lord brought her to VOH:

My name is Ashley Beaman and I am 27 years old from New Castle, Pennsylvania. Before coming to Vision of Hope, I directed a parachurch organization called the Greater Waynesburg Christian Outreach. Through this organization, I ran an after-school program, youth drop-in center and summer day camp, among other community ministries. In addition to enjoying Bible studies, organizing events, and working with children and youth, which I had the privilege of doing as part of my job, I also really enjoy spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, coffee, thunderstorms, bonfires and fall!

I came to know the Lord at a summer camp when I was 12 years old and began to take my relationship with God seriously when I was in high school. At another church camp during my freshman year, I heard the Gospel in a fresh way and was convicted that I could not continue to live as a lukewarm Christian — I wanted to be “all in.” When I returned home, I talked to my mom and my youth pastor about recommitting my life to God. My mom and I were baptized on the same day in 2004! My years following high school, attending Waynesburg University, were very formative in my Christian walk. I became a part of a church family who poured into me. It was here that I learned true discipleship, devotion to prayer, commitment to the Word of God, living righteously and full dependence in Christ! I grew in holiness through these godly relationships, the preaching of God’s Word and wise counsel. I was equipped to disciple others and I began investing in other women and children around me. As I worked with the Greater Waynesburg ChristianOutreach, God continued to use me to proclaim Himself to the people of West Waynesburg. As He gave me more responsibility and eventually moved me to the position of director, I was given new opportunities to minister and I grew exponentially — both in my personal walk with the Lord and as a servant leader.As I look back on my testimony, one thing rings true above all else — God is faithful! He has given me a passion for helping those who are hurting and for loving people. I desire to serve Him and to make Him known! I desire to see hearts truly transformed by God’s Word. I yearn to grow closer to the Lord and I am so thankful for His goodness in every season!

How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?

I was first introduced to Vision of Hope through the Biblical Counseling Training Conference (BCTC) at Faith, which I have been coming to for 4 years with members of my church family in Pennsylvania. Our group was connected with two VOH graduates whose lives had been transformed by God’s work within these walls. My years of attending the BCTC became personally applicable as my church family and I rallied around a woman and her young family as she started her journey at VOH.It was here in Lafayette that the Lord began to stir my heart for the hope found in biblical counseling done well. As I ministered to my neighbors in Waynesburg, I was met with the numerous needs, hurts and often hopelessness of the people. My greatest desire was for them to find hope in Jesus, yet there was often a disconnect between meeting their practical needs through community-based ministries and truly knowing the God these ministries were anchored in. This vital seed-planting ministry was often falling onto “heart soil” that was unprepared, due to the deep, unresolved sin and suffering that took root in the lives of the people. The Lord began to connect my passion for helping people with a realization that intensive counseling using God’s word produces lasting change. I deeply desire to see people become life-long disciples of Christ, even when faced with the hardest of circumstances. At VOH, I believe the Lord will continue to equip me for His service, while I, myself, continue to grow as His disciple.

What are you excited to learn and grow in at VOH?

I am most excited about a full year to learn and grow, under such astounding leadership! I believe my experience serving at VOH, compounded with my prior experience leading faith-based community ministry, will equip me for God’s service in years to come. I will also be working towards my ACBC certification while I am here.

If we had a fun themed day at VOH, what would you want the theme to be and why?

I would choose a “Back to Childhood” theme so we could enjoy things like coloring, sidewalk chalk, freeze-pops, puddle jumping, and Saturday morning cartoons with cereal.

God is faithful! We are confident that Ashley will continue to witness His faithfulness to her and others as she serves at VOH.

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/29/life-long-disciple-meet-ashley/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/29/life-long-disciple-meet-ashley/Excited to Counsel: Meet Bryanna!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/_IVIO4eGzTg/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/25/excited-to-counsel-meet-bryanna/#respondFri, 25 Aug 2017 13:34:01 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3680read more]]>You do not need to have biblical counseling training in your background to serve as a VOH intern. However, often we do have interns who studied biblical counseling at school and then come to VOH out of a desire for more hands-on training. Such is the case for Bryanna! As we continue in our blog series introducing our current interns, meet Bryanna.

My name is Bryanna Goza. I’m from Emporia, Kansas, but I just graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in May 2017. I really like to read and write, and I also sing and play the violin and piano.

I grew up going to church and was saved at a young age. I was playing in my room one day when I realized I was a sinner and that meant I was separated from God, so I went and got my grandma so I could be saved. My grandparents are the godliest influence I had on my life growing up, and I’m so grateful that they made sure I was in church and learning about God. I really struggled to apply the Bible as a teenager but have grown a lot in recent years.

How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?

I heard about the VOH internship because one of my counseling classes at BBC had me reading blogs on issues that affect teenagers. I was reading some blogs on the Biblical Counseling Coalition website and one of the blogs mentioned VOH. I thought that it sounded interesting from the blog, so I clicked onto the website. As I was reading the website and learning about VOH, I just kept getting more and more excited about what God was doing through this ministry and knew that I wanted to be a part of it. I would really like to solidify and apply the biblical counseling training I received in college, and to grow both as a counselor and spiritually in my own life.

What are you excited to learn and grow in at VOH?

I really just want to learn all that I can. I have a heart for counseling teens and women who are struggling, so I would like to be exposed to a wide variety of counseling situations and learn how to counsel them. I would like to grow in not letting my fear of man impede what I should be saying to counselees in order to glorify God.

If we had a fun themed day at VOH, what would you want the theme to be and why?

If we had a fun themed day here, I would like for it to be something like a pioneer day where everyone dresses old-fashioned and we do old-fashioned things. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and the pioneer to Victorian era is my favorite timeframe to study.

Bryanna has already jumped into observing counseling and will have many opportunities this year to grow in her counseling skills and in putting off fear of man. If you would like help in growing in discipling or counseling others, click here to investigate the internship.

]]>https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/25/excited-to-counsel-meet-bryanna/feed/0https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/25/excited-to-counsel-meet-bryanna/Resting in God’s Goodness: Meet Amber!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillBeSetFree/~3/IGnTW9RCBh4/
https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/2017/08/22/resting-in-gods-goodness-meet-amber/#respondTue, 22 Aug 2017 14:01:34 +0000https://blogs.faithlafayette.org/voh/?p=3684read more]]>I am enjoying hearing snippets of our interns’ stories and passions as we continue in this blog series. At this time, God has sovereignly brought to this internship ten different women with different backgrounds, testimonies, fields of education, interests and personalities. Yet despite their unique stories and strengths, He unifies them through Christ to serve together. What a blessing it is to see and experience the unity and diversity of the body of Christ! Today, hear how God has worked in Amber’s life to bring her to this internship:

My name is Amber Miller and I am 25 years old. I am from Iron Mountain, Michigan. Before coming to Vision of Hope I was working as a nurse at a hospital in my hometown, teaching nursing courses at a community college, and finishing grad school. In my free time, I like to spend time outdoors. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, while eating yummy food!

I remember hearing the Gospel and making a profession of faith as a young child. I grew up going to church and Bible camp in the summer, but it was not until my early 20s when I really started growing in my relationship with the Lord. A few years ago, I received biblical counseling when I was going through a difficult time, and I was taught truths about God that changed the way I thought about Him, myself, and others. The head knowledge I had about the Lord became heart knowledge and I learned to rest in His goodness and sovereignty.

How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?

I heard about the Vision of Hope internship from attending the Biblical Counseling Training Conference in 2015. I was interested in coming here to serve for a year because I desire more experience and training in helping people work through problems biblically. I believe the Bible speaks to every issue of life and since God used biblical counseling so greatly in my own life, I want to be used by God to point others to the truth that will provide true freedom and hope.

What are you excited to learn and grow in at VOH?

I feel like I have learned so much already and it has only been a month! I am excited to continue learning to communicate God’s word to the ladies at VOH, to grow in loving them well and helping them work through their struggles and addictions. I want to work towards ACBC certification. I hope to complete my exam throughout this next year and grow in my understanding of theology and application of biblical counseling.

If we had a fun themed day at VOH, what would you want the theme to be and why?

Well, it’s not really a theme, but I would want to have a campfire because I think it is fun to cook campfire food, hangout, share stories, and sing worship songs together!

We are excited to see how God continues to teach Amber over the next 11 months and give her countless opportunities to communicate God’s truth and love those He’s placed at VOH.